Dentistry is all about smiles, and having a confident, healthy, beautiful smile is important even for patients wearing dentures. Our dental practice, Kramer Dental, provides personalized denture services that meet the needs and comfort levels of our patients. All of our patients are unique and we create one-of-a-kind dentures in Selbyville that feel good and look natural.
Who's a Good Candidate for Dentures?
Now that you know more about dentures and how they work, it’s natural to wonder whether you’re a good candidate. Although potentially anyone who has lost some or all of their adult teeth can benefit from these prosthetics, that doesn’t mean they’re the right solution for every circumstance.
Continue reading to learn more about who dentures can help, and feel free to contact us if you have additional questions.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Several issues can lead to permanent tooth loss, but periodontal disease is the number one leading cause. If bacteria penetrate your gumline, it can infect the connective tissues. As it progresses, they eventually pull away from your enamel to avoid the illness, exposing the vulnerable roots. This leaves your teeth without a firm enough foundation, and they can become lose or fall out altogether. Unfortunately, they can also be lost due to severe tooth decay that weakens your jawbone or even physical trauma.
You might think of gaps in your grin as a mere frustration, but losing adult teeth can negatively impact your dental health. Without a root in place to stimulate new bone growth when you bite down, your jawbone begins to deteriorate. In time, this can alter your facial structure, causing sunken cheeks and sagging skin. Furthermore, gaps in your grin make basic tasks like eating, speaking, and smiling much more challenging.
What Qualifies You for Dentures?
Before you can be fitted with a restoration, you must consult with Dr. Kramer to ensure it’s the right solution for your unique situation. He’ll examine your mouth to determine the extent of the damage and recommend appropriate treatments based on his findings.
You might qualify for dentures if you have:
Experienced significant or total tooth loss.
Ongoing or chronic tooth sensitivity.
Severe tooth decay that cannot be repaired.
Healthy gum tissue to support prosthetics.
Sufficient jawbone density and strength.
Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options
If our team finds that you’re not a good candidate for dentures, don’t lose hope! You might benefit from a different type of replacement, such as:
Dental Bridges: These are perfect for patients who have lost one or several teeth in a row. They consist of the correct number of pontics (artificial teeth) between two dental crowns that anchor to healthy teeth or implants in your mouth to fill the gap.
Dental Implants: These involve surgically placing titanium posts into your jawbone to hold a dental crown or other appropriate restoration in place. They tend to cost more upfront than the other options but usually last longer and are more reliable.
Dentures are natural-looking replacement teeth that are removable. There are two types of dentures: full and partial.
Full dentures are given to patients when all of the natural teeth have been removed. Conventional full dentures are placed after the gum tissue has healed, which can take several months. Immediate full dentures are placed immediately after the teeth have been removed and may require frequent adjustments during the first couple of months of use.
Partial dentures are attached to a metal frame that is connected to your natural teeth and are used to fill in where permanent teeth have been removed. Partial dentures are considered a removable alternative to bridges.
How Do I Know If Dentures Are the Right Choice for Me?
Dentures are not for everyone. If you're interested in learning more about dentures and want to know if they are the right choice for you, please schedule an appointment. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you might have, and can determine the best course of treatment for your ongoing dental health.
Caring for Your Dentures
Dentures, just like natural teeth, require daily maintenance to stay clean and keep bacteria from growing inside of your mouth. Keep your dentures clean and your smile healthy:
When handling your dentures, stand over a clean, folded towel or a sink full of water. This way, if you accidentally drop your dentures, they are less likely to break.
Your dentures are not immune from plaque and tartar build-up, so it's important that you brush your dentures every day. To brush your dentures, use a soft-bristled brush and gently brush the surfaces of the dentures, being careful not to break or bend the plastic. Between brushings, it's important to rinse your dentures after each meal.
Use a gentle cleanser to clean your dentures. Many toothpastes, household cleaners, and mouthwashes can be too hard on your dentures, so it is recommended that you use a mild hand or dish soap to get your dentures clean. Be sure to check for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval to choose products that are safe for your dentures, or ask your dentist about which products may be best for you.
When you are not wearing your dentures, they need to be kept moist. Dentures that are not kept in a denture cleaning solution or in water can dry out, lose their shape, or even crack and break. Certain styles of dentures require certain soaking solutions, so be sure to ask your dentist which solution is best for you.
Even if you have a full set of dentures, it's important to keep your gums and tongue clean. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean your gums and tongue every day.
If by chance your dentures do break, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Broken dentures that don't fit properly can cause irritation to your gums and mouth. Also, remember to continue scheduling regular dental checkups every six months to make sure that your smile stays healthy for many years to come.
Dentures FAQs
Will It Hurt to Get Dentures?
Unless you have a special case, it shouldn’t hurt to get dentures. The steps dentists take to craft them are painless and won’t cause you (or your smile) any harm. That means your initial treatment ought to go smoothly and easily.
Still, your mouth may feel sore once you start wearing the dentures. It’ll likely be irritated until it adjusts to your new oral appliance. This discomfort can also vary from person to person, with some patients feeling aches for weeks. The upside is that this pain can be managed with medicine and should fade with time.
Do Dentures Break Easily?
Dentures don’t break that easily; they’re pretty durable. However, accidents happen – these prosthetics can fall apart if (or when) handled too roughly.
Dentures most often break from forceful handling in day-to-day life. For example, you may damage a pair by dropping them while doing a denture cleaning. A patient could also break dentures by inserting or removing them too roughly, which could cause a strain. Breaks and fractures can even occur if the denture fits poorly or has tiny defects.
Given these facts, it’s crucial that you care for your dentures well. Not doing so may cause them to fracture over the years.
Are Denture Adhesives Safe?
Denture adhesives are often safe when applied lightly (or by a great dentist). They’ll only help secure your new teeth and improve your oral health as a result.
All that said, be careful with adhesives that contain zinc. These products are thought to cause health issues and nerve damage when used too much. As for the reason, your body just won’t react well if you ingest excess zinc.
Similarly, please remove any adhesive at the end of each day. Doing so will keep your denture clean and free of harmful bacteria. In particular, stick to these FDA guidelines:
Follow instructions provided with denture adhesive
Don’t use more adhesive than recommended
Know all products may not list their ingredients
Can I Sleep with My Dentures?
While they can feel lifelike and natural, you really shouldn’t sleep with your dentures. Dentists generally suggest that you take them out before you go to bed.
You see, using dentures constantly isn’t good for your health. Wearing them overnight will restrict your gums’ circulation, leading to soft tissue irritation and ridge resorption. The practice will also let bacteria breed in your mouth and elevate your plaque levels. In some cases, constant denture use can even increase your risk of pneumonia.
To avoid these effects, you should take out your dentures at night. This habit will allow your gums to recover, keep your mouth cleaner, and more.
